School buying property next to Rowley Field

Ekalaka Elementary District #15 recently made an offer, which has been accepted, to buy a private property located at 228 Senator Street in Ekalaka. The property consists of Lots 4 & 5, Block 2 of the Cady Addition, next to Rowley Field. The school has not yet taken possession of the property.

Discussion over the property began at school board meetings last fall, shortly after the school had a home moved onto land it already owned next to the property at 228 Senator Street. The home that was placed on school property early last fall is currently being used as housing for the superintendent.

For years, the land where Carter County High School, Rowley Field and the new elementary school are located was owned by Carter County. Ekalaka Elementary and the county executed a land swap for land where the old elementary school sat prior to construction of the new hospital.

According to Montana Code, trustees may purchase or otherwise acquire property contiguous to an existing site that is in use for school purposes without a site approval election. Since the property being purchased is next to current Ekalaka Elementary land, no election for the approval of the site was necessary.

The property consists of two city lots totaling 23,160 square feet, just over half an acre of land. A 14' by 56' manufactured home with a 1010 square foot addition and two outbuildings also sit on the property.

Trustees and the property owner originally discussed doing a land swap. A survey showed that where both parties assumed property lines were located was, in fact, inaccurate. Throughout the winter lines of communication between the school and the property owner were open. The property was then offered to the district in February for $95,000.

An appraisal completed on March 5 shows a concluded value of $105,000 for the property. Trustees voted to offer $90,000 for the property and pay closing costs. That offer has been accepted.

The intent of the school is to pay for the property using Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed March 27, 2020 provided $13.5 billion to the ESSER Fund nationally. The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSA) passed Dec. 27, 2020 provided $54.3 billion in supplemental ESSER funding, known as the ESSER II fund. The American Rescue Plan Act passed March 11, 2021 provided $122.7 billion in supplemental ESSER funding, known as the ESSER III fund. These funds have to be used by recipients before September 30, 2024.

Ekalaka Public Schools Business Manager/Clerk Lora Tauck explained that there will be no impact to any mill levies due to the purchase of the property and no flex funds will be used. She said that the school has lost teaching candidates in the past due to a lack of available housing and that board members hope this will help to recruit quality teachers.

"It's an investment in the school's future," she said.

The board will ultimately develop a five-year plan for the property, but plans are currently to provide teacher housing that can be rented from the district at fair market value while the district begins to recoup its original investment.